Biology
The science of life.
About
Biology helps develop an informed sense of how we may individually and collectively continue to fit into the complex ecology of our planet. Biologists are employed in research, teaching, administration, service, and sales in governmental agencies, educational institutions, private business, and industry.
Along with chemistry, biology is also a degree that should be considered by a student whose career goal is a doctorate-level credential in a health-related field. An undergraduate degree in biology can be a stepping stone to a career as a doctor, dentist, orthodontist, or veterinarian, for example. Students should keep in mind that to gain entrance to a doctorate-level program, completing the required prerequisites is generally more important than type of degree obtained. With that in mind, students should study the prerequisites of the programs to which they plan to apply, and work closely with advisors to make sure that those prerequisites are satisfied.
At Tacoma Community College, science and engineering students enjoy:
- Small classes
- Faculty excited about teaching
- Labs taught by the same faculty member as the lecture
- Extensive interaction with the faculty
- Well-equipped labs
- Economical tuition
Choosing your path
Biology is a very diverse field of study, and it intersects with related disciplines including chemistry, environmental studies, and medicine. This is reflected by the courses required for various baccalaureate degrees in the natural sciences. TCC offers two Associate Degrees to serve this diversity. Students should work closely with an advisor to select the degree path that best fulfills their goals.
Associate of Arts in Biology
This degree includes all of the general education distribution requirements typically required by four year universities and prepares students for many biology major areas. Students who choose this degree want to complete their non-science courses at TCC and zero in on the math and science courses required for their majors at their four-year schools.
Associate of Science with a Biology Specialization
This degree requires more math and chemistry, but does not fulfill all of the general education distribution courses usually required for a bachelor's degree. Students who choose this degree will complete the rest of their general education distribution courses after transferring to a four-year institution. But, for many students the Associate of Science degree better prepares them for the junior-level coursework required for their science major.
Career Options
A biology degree is good preparation for a number of career paths, including:
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Orthodontics
- Veterinary Medicine
- Wildlife Biology
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Botany
- Fisheries Science
- Environmental Science
Be sure to work closely with your advisor to make sure you have selected the right degree for your chosen career path.
Research careers for this area of study.
Questions?
Contact a biology faculty advisor